Phils Obtain Michael "Batting Title" Young to Play 3B for 2013
In another great trade by GM Ruben Amaro, the Phils have obtained Michael Young, the AL's 2005 Batting Title Champion, and the career hits leader of the Texas Ranger, to play 3B for the Phillies in 2013.
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| Michael Young, Professional Hitter who Can Hit and Play all IF positions. Former AL Batting Champion, former AL All Star MVP, just a phenomenal hitter. |
This is a great move, especially because Texas will pay more than 1/2 of Young's salary.
Essentially, all Young knows how to do is hit. He plays every game of every year, he came up and played SS most of his career, can field every IF position, can play 3B, SS & 2B, he gets 200 H every year the way lawyers bill time and politicians talk hot air.
And, he destroys lefthanded pitching. This might be relevant since the Phillies tilt to the left with their lineup and are likely to see a great many lefthanded starters. In 2012, the Phils had a poor record against LH pitchers. Michael Young and John Mayberry are two hitters who actually hit well against LH pitchers, and if Darren Ruf can show something, the Phils may actually have something. Utley had a decent platoon split last year vs. LH, but Howard and Dom Brown continue to struggle v. LH pitchers, though Howard hits the occasional HR v. LH. We don't know what Ben Revere will do, but he's a slap hitting LH speedster. Chooch will be out a month, Eric Kratz can hit lefties and so can Chooch when he returns.
This is a good signing. Young was the All-Star Game MVP in 2006 after hitting a GW triple in the 9th inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. He hit 200 hits in five consecutive seasons from 2002-2007; he is only the 2d middle infielder since HOF Charlie "the Mechanical Man" Gehringer to have accomplished that feat, and just the 3d person since 1940 to have done it (Ichiro, Wade Boggs).
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